ELIOT, Maine — Eliot native Lt. Col Shane Morgan has been one of the 88 soldiers selected from the 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment to represent Fort Bragg in President Obama’s inaugural parade on Monday.

Morgan has served 18 years in the military and is a 1990 graduate of St Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, N.H., a graduate from Norwich University in Vermont, and received his master’s degree from Webster University, Mo. He is the commander of the 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery and has won the Bronze Star for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

“His father and I are so proud. We worry about him, but we have faith and confidence in our military,” said Morgan’s mother, Virginia Morgan.

One hundred and sixty other soldiers will participate in other inaugural activities. The parade ceremony will take place the day after Obama is sworn in for his second term.

According to inauguration officials, the parade will be the 57th of its kind, featuring eight official inaugural floats, marching bands, Scout troops, honor guards and many other groups will participate.

In total more than 8,000 people and 200 animals will be participating in the grand event. The parade is scheduled to begin around 2:30 p.m., and the president and vice President will be watching the processional from the viewing stand in front of the White House. The U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment holds the seventh spot in line for the parade following the U.S. Military Academy.

Many from the battalion will take in sights such as the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery; maybe even catch a baseball game before the parade’s festivities.

Morgan was informed of his battalion’s parade participation in September and later in the month told his soldiers.